An account of my journey coming off 30 years of topical steroid use for eczema. My journey began on February 14th, 2013. Below are the three reasons I fought so hard to find an easier way through this!

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Sunday, July 7, 2013

Keeping it Real....

I wish I could say I am doing better or having a relatively decent day, but that is not the case. I had a severe increase in my flare during work on Friday. Yesterday I cried all day and my skin felt like it was on fire! Felt the same most of today. I really tore my skin up - didn't take much - just rubbing it will slough skin off. It is a hot raging mess! Thought it may be due to PMS hormones but I am not due for another 9 days and I have no other signs of my PMS. Which means in a few days I will flare just as bad again I am afraid. I took tylenol and ibuprofen during the day today because I absolutely needed to get to the store and I knew I could not handle it without something for the pain. Not sure if it is still working or the flare is going down to its normal state of flaring, but right this second I am OK. Not great, not good, but not horrible like earlier today and yesterday. I thought my neck was doing better - and it was -but with this latest flare in a flare, my neck raged as well - so not happy about that.

But despite all the pain and the crying and frustration, I did manage to keep things moving here at home - I NEED to continue to try to get life back in some sort of order. It makes me feel better over all. So I exercised on my new elliptical - twice yesterday for 5 and 6 minutes. Today I did a whopping 10 minutes at once. My heart rate was 132 at the 3 minute mark - so much better than 160 - so I did the extra time. It felt good despite the pain all over my skin. It also helps that I subscribed to Rhapsody and downloaded a bunch of my favorite "rocking it out" tunes. The music helps keep my mind somewhere else besides the pain. I continue with my 24/7 ice packs around my neck. They are my life saver! Couldn't have made it this far through TSW without them!

So here are just a few pics - not much different from other pics, but like I said - I am keeping this real and this is where I am right now at 4.5 months:

Thanks Lisa!!!! I wish this would just go away! :) Actually if I could just stop having these raging flares within my constant flare I would be happy. My regular flare is uncomfortable and painful, but I have learned to tolerate it and get on with life somewhat. These rages are difficult to manage as they bring life to a complete halt! I hope your face clears soon and your flare doesn't last long! Here's to better days!!

My Way Of Healing

Great Info on MTHFR!

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About This Blog

This blog is a written record of my journey through topical steroid withdrawal (TSW). Topical steroid addiction is real. I have been using topical steroids for the past 30 years. I first learned of TSW on 2/14/13, and immediately threw away all my creams that contained topical steroids. That is the day my journey into withdrawal began. I am here to listen, to give an account of what I am going through, to help others in their journey, and to give hope. Please message me for any questions, concerns, or if you just need someone to listen. Please feel free to leave comments about your experience - what works for you and what does not.

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Regarding Blog List

My blog list has many TSW bloggers - it is in order of recent updates. Please look at the older ones as well - many of the blogs towards the bottom are those of people who are healed from TSW so their blogs are just as important and full of information! If you do not see your blog here and you are suffering with TSW, please comment on my most recent post so I can add you to my list!